More sexy talk from Martin Luther

George Spalatin

Following up on sexual desire discussed in Table Talk is this discussion on a letter of December 6, 1525, Martin Luther sent his friend and confidant George Spalatin (the biographer of Frederick the Wise). Spalatin was marrying a woman (like Luther’s wife also named Katherina) in another part of Saxony too dangerous for Luther to visit. The opportunities to play on words as well as indulge in sexual thoughts were too great for Luther to resist. It is an example of the frank and open expression of sexual love during this time.

…aber dies sollst du dann thun, wenn du im Ehebett unter den allerlieblichsten Umarmungen uud Küssen die Catharina hältst uud so denkst: Siehe, diesen Menschen, die sehr gute liebe Creatur meines Gottes, hat mir mein Christus geschenkt; dem sei Lob und Ehre. Auch ich, da ich den Tag errathen kann, an welchem du diesen Brief empfangen haben wirst, werde in der Nacht mit gleichem Werke die Meinige auf höchste lieben, zum Gedaechtnis deiner, und werde dir Gleiches mit Gleichem vergelten. Es grüsst sowohl dich als auch deine Rippe meine Rippe in Christo. Gnade sei mit euch, Amen. [WABr 3635, 6 dec 1525 or Johann Georg Walch, Dr. Martin Luthers Sämmtliche Schriften, Vol. 21, Part 1, Letter No. 935]

A distinguished scholar translated this passage:

When you sleep with your Catherine and embrace her, you should think: `This child of man, this wonderful creature of God has been given to me by my Christ. May He be praised and glorified.' On the evening of the day on which, according to my calculations, you will receive this, I shall make love to my Catherine while you make love to yours, and thus we will be united in love. [Heiko A. Oberman, “Luther and the Devil” Lutheran Theological Seminary Bulletin (Winter 1989): 10.]

It is a free translation, yet in no way is the following intentionally coarsened translation justified:

The very night you receive this letter you penetrate your lovely Katy, and I will penetrate mine.

This is one of myriad deliberate distortions of Luther floating in cyberspace. When will Luther-haters stop straining at gnats and learn the great man left a mountain of rants that are truly despicable?


Q. Did George Spalatin really need to be thinking of Luther on his wedding night??